Bement Bridge #14

(Lisa Martineau)

Bradford Center RoadBradford, NH

The Bement Bridge is the newest of three bridges at this location. Stephen H. Long, a Hopkinton native and U.S. Army Engineer, is said to have built the structure entirely of hemlock for $500. Much of Colonel Long's bridge building experience came from his employment with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. While working for the railroad, he developed a plan for a new covered bridge truss that became nationally known as the Long truss. Long patented his design in 1830. In 1835 and 1837 he patented improvements to the design. The bridge is posted with a weight limit of three tons.

Year of Construction: - 1854

Original Cost: - $500

Location:One quarter mile north of the intersection of N.H. Routes 103 and 114 on the Bradford Center Road in Bradford. The bridge spans the west branch of the Warner River.

Style-Characteristics:Long truss system. The bridge is 60'6" long with a clear span of 53'9". It has an overall width of 19'3" with a roadway width of 16'2", and a maximum vertical clearance of 13'2". It is posted for three tons.